Uutela – urban nature trails

On the trails of Meiko

Winter highlights in Finland

Uutela is an urban outdoors area in the eastern part of Helsinki easily accessible to everyone. Whether you look for more challenge on your trail running or hiking, if you want to go bird-watching, or whether you just want to barbecue some goodies for yourself on an open barbecue area, Uutela is the place to go.

If you have been to Finland in the winter, you probably already know many reasons that make this season so special. Here are our top 5 winter highlights in Finland that we think everyone should experience.

If you are looking for versatile outdoor opportunities in the capital region, but want an alternative to the often crowded Nuuksio area, the Meiko recreation area in Kirkkonummi is something for you. It has three marked routes, but is also very accessible for off-track activities, such as berry picking or even snowshoeing!

We Finns live in and of forests, and forests cover more than 70 % of the land. Finland is in fact the most forested country in Europe, if we compare the proportional share of forest land to the country's total size. 3 millon hectares of the Finnish forests are protected or under restricted use, which represents 13 % of the forest area. The rest is managed commercially, and roughly 60% of forests in Finland are privately owned. More than 10% of Finnish population has...

Aulanko was created as a forest park which was later turned into the first national urban park of Finland. This vast yet accessible greenery in Hämeenlinna (about 1h from Helsinki) offers a possibility for enjoying the lake waters, hiking in the forests, skiing down the slopes of steep cliffs, and following in the footsteps of adventurers (and even bears) to see stunning landscapes. In short, it has something for everyone. I've visited Aulanko several times both...

National parks in Finland are attracting millions of visitors every year. There are 40 national parks in Finland, all of them distinct from one another. Which are the most visited national parks in Finland? What are their special characteristics? When was the oldest national park established? Which is the biggest? Read more to find out which national park you should select as your next vacation destination!

Kutuniva in Muonio is the best place to spot swans and other birds in winter as the birds began to stay there over winter within this decade. Swans and dippers are residing in this area because no matter how cold it gets, this stream stays open.

Kutuniva is literally 'a river of spawn'. A beginning of Jerisjoki river flowing from Jerisjärvi lake is a popular spot for common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) to come at the end of the year to spawn. That is how this place was named....

As our winters have become more unpredictable especially in Southern Finland, one has to make use of every opportunity for winter sports. This winter the ‘real’ winter with snow and subzero temperatures started around Christmas and skiing tracks as well as ice skating rinks have been crowded ever since. I have also enjoyed the wilderness with snow shoes, which seems to be on the rise as a winter hobby.

Northern Lights, aurora borealis, are a wonder of nature that only few people get to see. We want to help everyone enjoy these stunningly beautiful apparitions so here are some tips on when, where, and how to see Northern Lights.

Northern Lights are created when the high-energy particles created by solar winds crash together with the atoms in Earth's upper atmosphere. These high-energy particles,...

Cross-country skiing is a very popular hobby in Finland, and when the snow situation allows, many Finns head outdoors to skiing tracks around the country. For example, Torronsuo bog is good place for the cross-country skiing. It is popular especially on the weekends when the parking lot gets full, but as it has long skiing tracks on the bog, it doesn't usually feel crowded. While Torronsuo provides very flat skiing tracks, my secret skiing spot Keräkankare has hills...

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